In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument
Certainly one of the most unique styles of vocal harmony singing this great American tradition is sung by tens of thousands of aficionados around the world. The joy and camaraderie of four-part close harmony singing is tough to beat and we offer here a selection of materials to help the barbershop singer improve their craft and to help get more out of their voice.
Displaying 1-22 of 22 items.
Darlene Rogers with Dale Syverson, Peggy Gram : Sing, Baby, Sing! - Blue Ribbon Vocal Warm-Ups Vol. 1
Review: Sing, Baby, Sing! offers a comprehensive vocal warm-up for women. Both the demonstrations and instruction exemplify the vocal production we're all seeking and will make you believe you can achieve both the full range and vocal freedom! This is Vol. 1! Mention Peggy Gram to members of Sweet Adelines, and you might hear her described as a well known and admired musician, a long time leader, teacher and role model in the organization, a 30+ year quartet member who has sung as a lead, a baritone and a bass. Once Peggy finally discovered her smooth and mellow bass voice, she quickly became a two-time international quartet champion. Dale has been a member of Sweet Adelines for 42 years, and has directed for 31 of those years included the acclaimed Rich-Tone Chorus. All three ladies are highly regarded and much in demand coaches for chorus and you are sure to find much to value in this CD.
Songlist: Breath Art, Mid Range, High Range, Stretch Break, Mid To Low Range
Darlene Rogers with Dale Syverson, Peggy Gram : Sing, Baby, Sing! - Developing Vocal Skills - Vol. 2
Review: Sing, Baby, Sing! offers a comprehensive vocal warm-up for women. Both the demonstrations and instruction exemplify the vocal production we're all seeking and will make you believe you can achieve both the full range and vocal freedom! This is Vol. 2!
Songlist: Breath Exercises, Range Exercises, Flexibility exercises, Agility exercises
Barbershop Harmony Society : Barbershop Arranging Manual
Review: The 80,000 men and women barbershoppers around the world are the largest consumers and generators of new a cappella arrangements today. To help train arrangers to meet these enormous needs, SPEBSQSA amassed this humongous manual, which likely contains everything you'll need to arrange in the barbershop style. For those interested in other styles, this manual includes many fundamentals and techniques that are critical, like ballet is to a dancer. There's all the basics on harmony theory and many examples of chord progressions and voice leading. The manual details the definition and evolution of the barbershop style, which is elaborated on in sections covering embellishments, tags, swipes and much more.
Songlist: A Bit Of History, Definition Of Barbershop Harmony, The Barbershop Song, Harmonic Rhythm, Barbershop Harmonization approach 1, Barbershop Harmonization approach 2, Barbershop Harmonization approach 3, Chord And Voice Leading, Rhythm And The Barbershop Arrangment, Form And The Barbershop Arrangement, Embellishment And The Barbershop Arrangment, Swipes And The Barbershop Arrangement, Introductions, Interludes And Tags, The Barbershop Medley , The Evolution And Future Of Barbershop, Appendix, Bibliography, Tag
Barbershop Harmony Society : Basic Group Singing Techniques
Review: This book focuses on 10 main skill areas of basic singing techniques with simple exercises to develop each skill. It is a basic, to the point, review of the primary elements of proper vocal technique for group singing. It is written primarily in layman's terms and is intended primarily for the amateur singer.
Songlist: Posture, Breathing, Pitch, Warm Up, Balance, Blends, Vowels, Consonants, Word Sounds, The Performance
Barbershop Harmony Society : Directing a Barbershop Chorus Manual
Review: A collection of essays on many subjects of importance to directors of all skill levels. You will find methods, techniques and philosophies of effective barbershop chorus directing - represented by the voices of several people, principal among them being Dr. Greg Lyne and Bill Rashleigh.
Songlist: Why are you directing?, Developing as a director, Chorus directors as leaders, Conducting skills, Running an effective rehearsal, Developing tone, Some basic considerations of pitch and intonation, Some thoughts about rhythm, Balancing voices, Developing an interpretive plan, Why you should know music theory, Learning styles / teaching methods, Teaching new music, The life of a song: from paper to performance, Auditioning singers, Arranging the chorus on the risers, Planning the rehearsal and the musical year, The music leadership team, Working with a coach, Planning for a successful performance, Leading your chorus, Why take chorus to contest?, Understanding the Judging system, Ten steps to a better singing and performing chorus, A short history of the barbershop style, Introducing barbershop to music educators
Barbershop Harmony Society : Music Fundamentals For Barbershoppers
Review: This book is ideal for the amateur singer, looking to learn about the fundamentals of music. Covering many aspects of begininning level music theory, careful study of this book can help you become a more educated musician. The text was written with Barbershoppers in mind, but is useful for all singers who are looking to learn the basics. Contains more than 200 vocal exercises under the following headings: mental readiness, physical readiness, posture alignment, breath management, tone production, vowels, articulation, range and register, intonation and balance/volume relations.
Songlist: Fundamentals of Pitch Notation, Physics of Sound I, Whole Step and Half Step Intervals, Sharps, Flats and Naturals, Scales , Key Signatures, Final Examination on Chapters 1-6, Time Notation, Meter and Meter Signature, Pickup and Pickup Notes, Tempo, Dotted and Undotted Notes and the Unit of Beat, Triplets, More on Music Notation, Syncopation, More on Syncopation, Minor Scales, Physics of Sound II
Barbershop Harmony Society : Sound For Ensemble Singing
Review: An excellent resource, this book offers a scientific approach to achieving a good blend in ensemble singing. While geared towards barbershop singing, the material can be applied to all styles of vocal harmony. This very informative book comes with a glossary for highlighted terms throughout the text.
Songlist: The Nature of Voiced Sound, Loudness , Pitch, Harmonic Structure, Difference, Undertones, Formants and Vowel Sounds, The Ingredients of Expanded Sound, Proper Volume Relationships, Vocal Quality, How To Improve Expanded Sound, Posture and Positioning, Rehearsal, Stage Presence
Barbershop Harmony Society : Theory of Barbershop Harmony
Review: This definitive analysis of the harmonic structure of barbershop music is an in-depth study describing the uniqueness of barbershop harmony. Beginner and experienced alike will gain more insight into our music after a careful reading and examination of the material included in this manual.
Songlist: Building Chords, Naming Scale Degrees and Chords, Chord Progression, Chords Used in Barbershop Harmonization, Review of Triads and Chords, More on Chords, Chords Not Used in Barbershop, Type of Thirteenth Chord Used in Barbershop
Darlene Rogers with Dale Syverson, Peggy Gram : Sing, Baby, Sing: The Book
Review: It's true. With this book in your hands, you can experience the end of worry, angst, fear and frustration about being the singer you wish you were, and start radiating the possibility of becoming that singer. Springboard to Artistry is intended for singers, teachers, and directors who long for the surest route to the Land of Good Singing, without traversing the often unintentionally circuitous paths of formless vocal experimentation. The 16 Weeks to Vocal Artistry incorporate proven principles of vocal freedom and pedagogy that the authors have used in the teaching of artistry to the singer. There are 16 weeks of planned vocal warm-ups providing opportunities to reinforce good vocal production habits.
Songlist: Dedication, Acknowledgements, Foreword, Preface, Pyramid, A Springboard To Artistry, Breath, Passagio, Light Mechanism, Heavy Mechanism, Forward Placement, Vibrato, Flexibility, Agility, Resonance, Vocal Warmups, Developing Vocal Skills, Vocal RX, The Maturing Voice, International Phonetic Alphabet, Singer's Tea
Dr. Greg Lyne / Larry Ajer / Barry Green : Inner Game of Music Workbook
Review: Based on the hugely successful "Inner Game" series, this workbook takes the concepts of developing music with the inner game and applies it directly to Barbershop harmony. The terms, musical examples, and exercises are specifically designed for male and female barbershop singers. Extremely valuable to both the beginner or championship performer as a quartet member, chorus singer, or director. Authored by Dr. Greg Lyne, Larry Ajer and Barry Green. This edition includes songs for you group to perform along with the exercises.
Songlist: Sing and Audiate, Body Awareness, Breathing Awareness, Sight-Watching the Director, Adherence to Tempo, Ensemble Balance, Increments of Volume, Intonation-Horizontal, Intonation-Vertical, Diction, Phrasing with Text as a Guide, Imagery-Musical Expression, Energy Directed Focus, Legato Singing with Magic Markers, Function of your part: foreground/background, Breathing in Rhythm, Understanding and Planning the Contour, Interalizing Pulse/Rhythmic Accuracy, Vowel Matching, Diphthong Awareness, Accents, Random & Spontaneous Turn/Travel/Change level, Commitment to the Personality of the Parts, The Microphone and the Studio Recording Session, Presentation of Instrument, Conversation / Dialogue, Energy / Excitement, Peacefulness, Dance Feeling, The Image of Powers / Strength, and more
Dr. Jim Richards : Physics of Barbershop Sound
Review: The original 1977 publication has been extensively revised and expanded to make this a more reader-friendly manuscript. Dr. Jim Richards has worked with a number of scientists, teachers, musicians, professionals, and fellow SPEBSQSA members to bring you this wealth of information.
Songlist: Where does sound come from?, Vibrations in a string, The Ear, Resonance, Consonance and Dissonance, Formants, Some Characteristics of Harmonies, Formants and Registers, Pythagorean Tuning, Just Intonation, Does a theoretically 'perfect' scale exist?, Vibrato, What makes barbershop chords ring?
Fred Glelow : Laughter, Love and a Barbershop Song
Review: Author Fred Gielow brings a wonderful insight into the life and times of being a barbershopper. Quoted from the back cover: "You'll read about wild shenanigans and shows and marvelous merriment practiced by barbershop singers. You'll read about touching and tender moments. You'll read about side-splitting, laugh-until-you-cry barbershop happenings. You'll read about the wealth of laughter and love that seems uniquely instilled in that curious creature called a barbershopper, and you'll discover there's boundless joy in his efforts to learn, perfect, and perform a barbershop song!" "Laughter, Love, and a Barbershop Song" is a wonderfuly witten documentary of the formative days of our Society, when the greats such as Lou Perry, Earl Moon, Buzz Haeger, Freddy King and Forry Haynes, to name just a few, were creating memories. There are so many great stories about quartets from the Midstates Four to BGSU, from the Buffalo Bills to the Boston Common - in all, more than 100 quartets, 45 chapters, and 250 individual barbershoppers are mentioned by name.
Songlist: They Call him Barbershopper, The Barbershop Chapter, The Barbershop Quartet, The Barbershop Show, The Other-Than-Barbershop Show, The Barbershop Contest, The Barbershop International, The Barbershop Experience
Gage Averill : Four Parts, No Waiting
Review: Four Parts, No Waiting investigates the role that vernacular, barbershop-style close harmony has played in American musical history, in American life, and in the American imagination. Starting with a discussion of the first craze for Austrian four-part close harmony in the 1830s, Averill traces the popularity of this musical form in minstrel shows, black recreational singing, vaudeville, early recordings, and in the barbershop revival of the 1930s. In his exploration of barbershop, Averill uncovers a rich musical tradition--a hybrid of black and white cultural forms, practiced by amateurs, and part of a mythologized vision of small-town American life. Barbershop harmony played a central -- and overlooked -- role in the panorama of American music. Averill demonstrates that the barbershop revival was part of a depression-era neo-Victorian revival, spurred on by insecurities of economic and social change. Contemporary barbershop singing turns this nostalgic vision into lived experience. Arguing that the "old songs" function as repositories of idealized social memory, Averill reveals ideologies of gender, race, and class. This engagingly-written, often funny book critiques the nostalgic myths (especially racial myths) that have surrounded the barbershop revival, but also celebrates the civic-minded, participatory spirit of barbershop harmony. The text is accompanied by an audio CD.
Songlist: A Little Close Harmony: A Medley of Nineteenth-Century Harmony, The Golden Era: Quartets in Show Business and the Music Industry, The Lost Chords: The Early Barbershop Revival, On Main Street, U.S.A., Romancing the Tone: Song, Sound, and Significance in Barbershop Harmony
Various : Sweet Adeline Arrangers Guide
Review: This is a great resource for any quartet who would like to have the satisfaction of creating their own arrangements. All the fundamentals are here including sections on barbershop chord voicing, harmonic progressions, alternative harmonies and embellishments (swipes, echos, patter, slides).
Songlist: The Basic Language Of Music, Intervals, Chords, Barbershop Chord Voicings, Harmonic Progressions, Alternative Harmonies, Selecting The Song, Writing It Down, Creating The Manuscript, Voice Leading, Embellishments, In Conclusion, The Music Category, Index
Brian Beck : Sightsinging Made Really Easy
Review: With Brian Beck (of the Championship Quartet Dealer's Choice) as your guide and author, you'll be up to speed in no time! Includes learning CD.
Songlist: The Musical Scale, Reading in the Bass Clef, Sharps and Flats and Half Steps, The Beck Rhythm Method, Intermediate Note Reading, Advanced Exercises, Chord Changes and the Circle of Fifths, The Clock System, Rhythms Once Again, Music to Read, Read, Read
Tom Gentry : An Introduction To Barbershop Singing For Youth Songbook
Review: Designed to expose students to the joys of singing a cappella, natural harmony. Songs can be sung in two or three parts.
Songlist: Cohan Medley, Good Night, Ladies, The Sidewalks of New York, I've Been Workin' On The Railroad, Home On The Range, My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean, Minstrel Montage, Jingle Bells, Silent Night, Auld Lang Syne
Darlene Rogers with Dale Syverson, Peggy Gram : Sing, Baby, Sing! Vocal Rx - A First Aid Kit For The Voice
Review: More great vocal exercises with a particular emphasis on taking care of your voice and to help with the recuperation of damaged voices. A very useful resource for all singers and highly recommended.
Songlist: Breathing, Front of Mouth Sounds, Back of Mouth Sounds, Open Mouth Sounds, Forward to Open Sounds, Transferring Vowel Sounds to Words, Tips, Sign Off
Darlene Rogers with Dale Syverson, Peggy Gram : The Maturing Voice
Review: It is always important of course to take care of your voice and vocal exercises are a great way to keep your instrument in top form. This is even more important as we age and it is possible to sing with a strong and vibrant voice into our most senior years. These exercises by these acclaimed Sweet Adeline directors, coaches and performers are specially designed for the more mature voice and will help you to keep singing in fine fettle for years to come.
Songlist: Welcome, Breathing, Vibrato, Resonance, Passaggio, Flexibility, Sign Off, Lady Luvs, Ark Angels & Tiffanys
Lori Lyford : Breathing To Sing
Review: 'Breathing to Sing' is an entertaining and educational video. Breathing to a singer is the basis for the singing sound and Lori Lyford (the excellent director of the Scottsdale Chorus and well known to Sweet Adeline singers and directors) demonstrates the physical mechanics and the proper use of the diaphragm to increase and expand breath capacity. This is a 'must have' instructional DVD.
Barbershop Harmony Society : Effective Choral Warm-Ups
Review: Effective Choral Warm-ups offers a new approach to a critical segment of the rehearsal. Containing thirty exercises in the major areas of vocal production geared specifically for male choruses and quartets. The DVD shows the teaching process as well as the performance of each of the exercises so the instructor can prepare. The chorus member can also use these exercises on a daily basis for individual vocal improvement. Clinicians Jim DeBusman, Chris Peterson and Bill Rashleigh brings their years of experience to this 2 DVD set which will help all barbershop singers get the most from their voice.
Songlist: Posture, Alignment, Breath Management, Vowels, Balance, Progressions, Vocal Agility, Concentration, Head Voice, Range and Register
Barbershop Harmony Society : Improving Vocal Techniques Through the Warm Up
Review: Contains more than 200 vocal exercises under the following headings: mental readiness, physical readiness, posture alignment, breath management, tone production, vowels, articulation, range and register, intonation and balance/volume relations. This is an excellent resource for all singers of any style and along with the exercises and text are some excellent diagrams and photos that really does cover all the bases to insure getting the most from your voice in an effective and safe manner. Highly recommended.
Songlist: Mental Readiness, Physical Readiness, Posture / Allignment, Breath Management, Tone Production, Vowels, Dipthongs and Triphthongs, Articulation, Range and Register, Intonation, Balance / Volume Relationships, On To The Rehearsal